By connecting members with individuals who often face social isolation, Best Buddies creates meaningful friendships that bridge gaps in understanding and acceptance, fostering a community where everyone is valued. First-year president & senior Sara Ahmed has been in the club for several years to understand what the club does and operates on. Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through social and economic inclusion. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies promotes one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living opportunities for people with IDD.
“Best Buddies is a global organization that pushes schools to create a more inclusive environment,” said Ahmed. “The core of Best Buddies is one-to-one friendships which we really like to do at Tompkins. We push the idea that everyone needs a buddy and everyone should diversify their friend group.”
At Tompkins this treasured organization operates as a club that connects non-disabled students with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, creating and fostering friendships between the two groups that can sometimes be seen as different. Best Buddies is a club that creates a great understanding between students with IDD and students who may not have those disabilities. As the president, Ahmed, does many things behind the scenes to ensure that the club runs smoothly.
“I try sorting out the details for the meetings, along with my vice president, Sapphira Valdez, and the other students on our leadership board, but also what I think is the most important thing is that we are a bridge for parents, our buddies and students of Tompkins,” said Ahmed. “I think talking to parents, especially of those students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, really benefits the buddies themselves because their parents have to know that we want to make sure that they’re included.”
There are many reasons that students may want to join a club/organization like Best Buddies, for some students, it could be them wanting to have a better understanding of people/students with disabilities for others it could be the fact that they have had life experiences that make them want to join Best Buddies, and for some, it may just be for fun. For Ahmed, her reason comes from a personal experience which caused her to decide to join the club.
“I had a teacher in middle school and she had a daughter named Anna, who had cerebral palsy,” said Ahmed. “When I found that out, I literally couldn’t believe it because she’s so smiley and happy. I didn’t understand how she was able to handle having a daughter with a disability, but as I got to know her and as I continued in her class for two years, I realized it’s not something that people suffer with. It’s just something that people have to adjust and face any obstacles in their way.”
Perseverance and dedication to the students have helped Best Buddies grow and led them to be named Best Buddies Chapter of the Month.
“Winning Best Buddies Chapter of the Month was really cool,” said Ahmed. “Especially because the last few years we kind of struggled to gain members and hosting events but whenever we got announced to be like a five-star chapter, I was really proud because I can’t believe the club progressed this much, and it was just really rewarding.”
